Top May Day award for DPM Lawrence Wong

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong was conferred the labour movement’s top honours on Monday for being a strong advocate of workers as well as the tripartite partnership between the Government, employers and unions in Singapore

- Tham Yuen-C

Mr Wong, chosen in 2022 to lead the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) fourth-generation (4G) team, “continues to prioritise workers’ concerns as he leads the 4G team in a challenging post-pandemic environment”, said National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) president Mary Liew.

Presenting the Medal of Honour to Mr Wong at the yearly May Day award ceremony, together with NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng, Ms Liew said Mr Wong had steered Singapore through uncharted waters during the Covid-19 pandemic in the past three years.

She also thanked Mr Wong for giving the labour movement his assurance that he will always have its back.

Mr Wong was among 172 union leaders and tripartite partners who were recognised in 2023 at a ceremony held at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre.

They were hailed by NTUC for making “exceptional and continuous” contributions to the welfare of workers, and for supporting the labour movement’s pro-worker and pro-business programmes and initiatives.

The Medal of Honour is conferred on “special individuals who have rendered distinguished services to the labour movement”, said NTUC. It was last given out to Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat in 2021.